Massaging device



March 28, 1961 B. c. SCHAEFFER MASSAGING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1959 R O T N E V m fierwarr'c. ficiayf 01 a,

ATTORNEY March 28, 1961 B. c. SCHAEFFER 2,976,867

MASSAGING DEVICE Filed Feb. 6, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 :E1EE

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E1Ei5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 28, 1961 B. c. SCHAEFFER 2,976,867

MASSAGING DEVICE Filed Feb. 6, 1959 4 Shee ts-Sheet s a a =5- I VII i w W 7-2" C5CZ aye?" QKPM ATTORNEY March 28, 1961 B. c. SCHAEFFER MASSAGING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 6, 1959 INVENTOR fiernarr 6,5050%? ATTORNEY h mmM i mu pm -IivM MM Q M mm 3 Q E t mm 7% 7 x x MASSAGING DEVICE Bernarr C. Schaelter, 90 E. Willard St., Battle Creek, Mich, assignor to said Bernarr C. Schaelfer and Ruth Anderegg Schaefier, Battle Creek, Mich.

Filed Feb. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 791,682

Claims. (Cl. 128-57) This invention relates broadly to massaging devices, and in its specific phases to apparatus of the barrel roller type.

Barrel roller type massaging devices are becoming rather popular but insofar as known there are only two forms available. The common one is of the hassock type which is low enough to allow the user to sit upon, straddle or lie, stomach down, across the rotating barrel roller. The other, and little known, is of upright construction with a frame having posts on each side and with the barrel roller adjustable up and down the posts of the frame. The uses of these available devices are rather limited and as far as the adjustable form is concerned, it does not have the versatility and attractiveness desirable for a massaging device of this character. It was a recognition of this situation which led to the conception and development of the present invention.

Accordingly among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a novel massaging device in which the driven barrel roller is mounted between the front ends of two side arms which are pivoted to and extend 'fOI".

wardly from the upper end of a stand, said side arms being vertically swingable to different positions to dispose the barrel roller at various elevations to massage any desired posterior or anterior regions while the user is standing more or less upright and to also permit the user to sit upon or straddle the barrel roller when it occupies its lowermost position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel construction permitting pivotal movement of the side arms, and barrel roller mounted on same, to different positions with little effort.

A further object is the provision of a novel brake means for holding the side arms in any selected position, within the operating range of the assembly, to set the barrel roller at desired elevation.

A still further object is the provision of an unusually effective barrel roller which is swingably mounted and in which the individually rotatable peripheral rollers of same are circumferentially corrugated to form them with bulges and with valleys between said bulges, the bulges of each roller being opposite the valleys of adjacent rollers.

Yet another object has been to provide a novel and practical barrel roller construction allowing expeditious manufacture and sale at a reasonable price, yet affording maximum advantages, Whether used for weight reduction, or for alleviating painful physical conditions which can be helped by massaging.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the massaging apparatus means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but several of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawings: 7

Figures 1, 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the side arms, and the barrel roller carried by same, adjusted to different positions.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear perspective view looking substantially in the direction indicated by the arrow 4 of Figure 2, and with the protective casing removed to expose the driving mechanism.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of an alternate construction with the side arms and barrel roller positioned substantially as shown in Figure 1, and with the driving mechanism in reversed position from that shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary inner side view of the rear end portion of one of the side arms.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view as taken on line "l7 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the barrel roller illustrating the arrangement of the individual adjacent rollers of same.

The general construction disclosed in the drawings has proven to be commercially acceptable and of advantage from various standpoints and will be rather specifically described. However, it is to be understood that variations may well be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as shown and described.

A stand 10 is provided to support all movable parts. This stand 10 comprises two base bars 11, two standards 12 rising from said base bars 11, two braces 13 for said standards 12, and a tie bar 14 for said base bars 11. All of these elements may be formed from either rod or metal tubing; each base bar 11 is preferably integral with its respective standard 12; and the braces 13 and tie bar 14 are preferably integral.

A transverse shaft 15, Figures 4 and 5, extends horizontallybetween and is welded, or otherwise secured, to the upper ends of the standards 12. The ends 16 of this shaft project laterally outward from the standards and constitute trunnions upon which two side arms 17 are pivotally mounted to swing vertically to different positions. The rear end portions of the side arms 17 are inwardly thickened by plates 18 which are fastened thereto by bolts 19, and bearings 20, Figures 4, 6, and 7, are inset in said plates 18 to receive the trunnions 16. The side arms 17 and their plates 18 can be made from any suitable material, but for convenience may well be sawed from plywood.

A transverse metal frame 21, Figures 4 and 5, extends between the rear end portions of the side arms 17 and comprises two end bars 22 and two longitudinal bars 23 and 24. The end bars 22 are conventionally fastened as by means of bolts 25 to the plates 18 of the side arms 17; and said side arms are thus connected to swing unitarily upon the trunnions 16. The front ends of the side arms 17 support the barrel roller 26 and this roller is therefore shiftable vertically to difierent positions by swinging said side arms 17 as required. To assure such swinging of the side arms with ease, a counterbalancing spring 27 is provided; and a brake means 28 is employed to lock said side arms in selected position.

The spring 27 is a coiled torsion spring surrounding the fixed shaft 15 and having one of its ends 29 suitably anchored to said shaft, the other end 30 being suitably connected at 31, 32 to the frame bar 23. The member 32 is preferably threaded and adapted to adjust the tension on spring 27 so as to allow the assembly to assume a suitable neutral position when the brake is released, for instance as shown in Figure 1. In the present disclosure, a brake drum 33, forming part of the brake means 28, is secured to the fixed shaft 15 and the spring end 29 is Patented Mar. 28, 1961 I morass? 3 connected at 34, Figure 5, with said drum 33, to thereby anchor said spring end 2% to said shaft 15.

A brake band 35 surrounds the drum 33 and has a conventional lining 36. At one end the brake band 35 terminates'in an arm 37 which is secured at 38 to the frame bars '23 and 24. The'other end of brake band 35 is provided with a nut 39. A hand screw 49 extends through an opening 41 in the arm 37, and the inner end of said screw 40 is threaded through the nut 39. The outer end of the screw 49 has a hand knob 42 provided with a hub 43 abutting the outer side of the arm 37. By turning the knob 42 in one direction, the brake band 35 may be released to allow vertical positional adjustment of the side arms 17 and the barrel roller 25. The side arms 17 may then be locked in the selected position by turning the knob 42 in the other direction.

The driving means for the barrel roller 26 includes an electric motor 44 under the frame 21 and having its base portion secured at 45 to the bars 23 and 24. This motor is connected by a belt-and-pulley drive as to a countershaft 47 located somewhat in advance of the brake means 23 and having its'ends mounted in bearings 48, Figures 6 and 7, which are inset in the side arms 17. The countershaft' 47 is provided with pulleys 49 connected by belts with pulleys51 on the end disks 52 of the barrel roller 26. The sizes of the various pulleys are of course such as to cause rotary driving of the barrel roller 26 at a suitable massaging speed which is much slower than that of the motor 44.

A suitable casing '53 contains the shafts and 47, the motor 44, the drive 46, the brake means 28, and the counterbalancing spring 27. The casing 53 is secured to edges of the plates 13 and tothe frame 21; and suitable finishing strips 54 may be provided where desired. The casing 53 is slotted at 55, Figure 3, to clear the supporting standards 12 and braces 13.

Suitable guards 56 are provided for the belts 50 and have flanges'57 secured to the longitudinal edges of the side arms 17. Nearthese edges and near the front edges of the side arms 17, suitable hand rails 58 are provided, said rails being carried by brackets 59 secured to the side arms 17.

The barrel roller 26 has a central shaft 60, Figure 5, to which the end disks 52 are suitably secured, for example, by providing said shaft with flanges 61 secured by screws 62 to said end disks. The ends of the shaft are rotatable in bearings 63, the outer ends of which are indicated in Figures 1 to 3.

The individual rollers 64 of 'thebarrel roller 'extend between the end disks 52 and are suitably mounted for free rotation thereon, as indicated by roller pintles 65 in Figure 8. Each roller is circumferentially corrugated to provide it with bulges 66 and with valleys '67 between said bulges es. The bulges of each roller are opposite the valleys of adjacent rollers to more thoroughly massage any portion of the body held against the barrel roller 26.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a novel and advantageous construction has been disclosed for attaining the desired ends. However, attention is again invited to the possibility of making variations within the spirit and scope of the invention as shown and described.

C-ther modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the massaging apparatus herein disclosed, provided that the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A massaging device comprising a stand, two side arms 'extending'forwardly from and supported solely at their rear end on said stand, means pivotally mounting said side arms on said-stand for vertical swinging in unison to-different. positions, means for releasably holding said side arms in selected position, a barrel roller extending horizontally between the front ends of the said arms and rotatably mounted thereon, said barrel roller having end members and a multiplicity of individual rollers extending from end member to end member in a circular pattern thereon with each individual roller having its own rotary pivot mounting means connecting it to said end members in position substantially perpendicular thereto, and means for rotatably driving said barrel roller regardless of the operating position of same.

2. A massaging device comprising a stand, two side arms extending forwardlyfrom said stand, means pivotally mounting said side arms on said stand for vertical swinging to different positions, means for holding said side arms in selected position, a barrel roller extending horizontally between the front ends of the said arms and rotatably mounted thereon, and means for driving said barrel roller; wherein said means for holding said side arms in selected position comprises a brake drum non-'rotatably carried by said stand and disposed coaxially with said pivotal mounting means of said side arms, and a manually contractable brake band engaging said brake drum and so connected with said side arms as to turn about said brake drumwhen said side arms are swung from ne position to another.

3. A massaging device comprising a stand, two side arms extending forwardly from and supported solely at their rear end on said stand, a frame member extending between and secured to the rear end portions of said side arms in manner unit joining the latter for movement in unison, means pivotally mounting the rear end portion of said unit joined side arms on said stand for vertical swinging of the forward end of same to different positions, means for releasably holding said side arms in any selected position within the pivotal operating range of same, a barrel roller extending horizontally between the front ends of said side arms and rotatably mounted thereon, said barrel roller having end members and a multiplicity of individual rollers extending from end member to end member in a circular pattern thereon with each individual roller having its own rotary pivot mounting means connecting it to said end members in position substantially perpendicular thereto, an electric motor mounted on the aforesaid frame member, and driving connections from said motor to said barrel roller for operably rotating the latter.

4. A massaging device comprising a stand, two side arms extending forwardly from said stand, a frame member extending between and secured to the rear end portions of said side arms, means pivotally mounting said side arms on said stand for vertical swinging to difierent positions, means for holding said side arms in selected position, a barrel roller extending horizontally between the front ends of said side arms and rotatably mounted thereon, an electric motor mounted on the aforesaid frame member, a counter-shaft extending between the.

rear end portions of said side arms and rotatably mounted thereon, a belt-and-pulley drive from said motor to said counter-shaft, and belt-and-pulley drives from said countor-shaft to the ends of said barrel roller.

5. A massaging device comprising a stand having laterally spaced side members, a fixed horizontal shaft extending between and secured to the upper ends of said side members, the ends of said shaft constituting trunnions which project laterally outward from said side members, two side arms at the outer sides of said side members, said side arms extending forwardly from the upper end of said stand and having bearings receiving said trunnions to mount said side arms for vertical swinging to different positions while supported on said frame, a transverse frame member spaced from said fixed shaft and secured at its ends to the rear end portions of said side arms, a barrel roller extending between and rotatably mounted on the front ends of said side arms,

electric motor mounted on said transverse frame member, for driving connections from said motor to said barrel roller, a brake drum secured to and concentric with said fixed shaft, a brake band engaging said brake drum and so connected with said transverse frame member as to turn about said brake drum as said side arms are swung from one position to another, and manually operable applying and releasing means for said brake band, said applying and releasing means being active on said brake band and reactive on said transverse frame member for contracting said brake band around said brake drum.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 5, in which a coiled side arm counterbalancing spring surrounds said fixed shaft, one end of said spring being anchored to said shaft, the other end of said spring being connected to said transverse frame member.

7. In a massaging device, a barrel roller haw'ng indi- 'vidually rotatable peripheral rollers, each of said rollers being circumferentially corrugated to provide it with bulges and with valleys between said budges, the bulges of each roller being opposite the valleys of the adjacent rollers, a supporting means, means pivotally mounted on said supporting means, said pivotally mounted means carrying said barrel roller in operable manner on an extending portion of same, means for pivotally varying the operable position of said barrel roller relative to said supporting means, and means for operably rotating said barrel roller.

8. In a massaging device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for pivotally varying the operable position of said barrel roller includes a counterbalancing means for said barrel roller, and a brake means for releasably holding said barrel roller in the pivotally varied position.

9. In a massaging device as set forth in claim 7, Wherein said supporting means is of floor mounting type, and said means pivotally mounted on said supporting means comprises a pair of extending arms-with means connecting them rigidly together at one end adjacent the pivot thereof, said arms rotatably carrying said barrel roller on the other end thereof.

10. In a massaging device as set forth in claim 9, wherein said means for pivotally varying the operable position of said pair of arms includes a brake means, one portion of which is fixedly anchored to said supporting means and a second portion of which is fixedly connected to said means rigidly connecting said arms, and means for actuating said brake means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,630,911 Wentz May 31, 1927 2,377,131 Conrad May 29, 1945 2,663,293 Elliott Dec. 22, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 326,918 Great Britain Mar. 27, 1930 

